The Death of the German Left?

Updated Oct. 6, 1999 12:01 a.m. ET

H ow quickly the tenor of political debate can change in Germany. Just a few weeks ago, Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was under heavy fire from leftist ideologues for his attempts to steer a more business-friendly course. Former Finance Minister Oskar Lafontaine was said to be ascendant again. Now, all of a sudden, there is nary a politician in the land who doesn't claim to understand the need for some serious market reforms. And Mr. Lafontaine is considered a disgruntled has-been.